A conveyor belt system includes a frame, a plurality of rollers supported by the frame, an endless conveyor belt, and at least one tensioning assembly, where the conveyor belt is tensioned in the frame while passing over the rollers, and where the at least one tensioning assembly is configured to tension the conveyor belt. The tensioning assembly includes a spring/absorber assembly with a shock absorber and at least one spring. The shock absorber and at least one spring extend between a first end part and a second end part with the at least one spring being set in parallel to the shock absorber. Use of the spring/absorber assembly in a tensioning assembly for an endless conveyor belt reduces slip-stick. The conveyor belt system is useful when growing plants.

A conveyor belt system includes a frame, a plurality of rollers supported by the frame, an endless conveyor belt, and at least one tensioning assembly, where the conveyor belt is tensioned in the frame while passing over the rollers, and where the at least one tensioning assembly is configured to tension the conveyor belt. The tensioning assembly includes a spring/absorber assembly with a shock absorber and at least one spring. The shock absorber and at least one spring extend between a first end part and a second end part with the at least one spring being set in parallel to the shock absorber. Use of the spring/absorber assembly in a tensioning assembly for an endless conveyor belt reduces slip-stick. The conveyor belt system is useful when growing plants.

A conveyor construction for a continuous belt conveyor. The conveyor includes a conveyor frame assembly constructed from a plurality of separate extruded and joined frame sections. The frame assembly can include a pair of side frame extrusions joined to a center frame extrusion by a pair of attachment rails. The conveyor construction further includes a series of spindle mounting assemblies that support a tensioning spindle on opposite ends of the conveyor frame. Each of the spindle mounting assemblies includes a gear rack and a pinion head that is rotatable to move the gear racks. The gear racks contact one of a pair of head plates that support the tensioning spindle relative to the frame.

A conveyor construction for a continuous belt conveyor. The conveyor includes a conveyor frame assembly constructed from a plurality of separate extruded and joined frame sections. The frame assembly can include a pair of side frame extrusions joined to a center frame extrusion by a pair of attachment rails. The conveyor construction further includes a series of spindle mounting assemblies that support a tensioning spindle on opposite ends of the conveyor frame. Each of the spindle mounting assemblies includes a gear rack and a pinion head that is rotatable to move the gear racks. The gear racks contact one of a pair of head plates that support the tensioning spindle relative to the frame.

A return roller is pivotally supported in a frame-fixed articulation region (20, 21) of a belt conveyor device having a transport belt. A pivot arm (30, 31) extends in a running direction (L) of the transport belt, orthogonal to a longitudinal axis (12) of the return roller, supporting it about the longitudinal axis. A pivot element (40) is spaced apart from the return roller in the running direction. A pivot bearing (22, 23) is arranged on the articulation region for mounting the pivot element for a pivoting movement of the pivot arm around a pivot axis between an operating position and an nonoperating position of the return roller. A bearing surface (24, 25), in a section perpendicular to the pivot axis, is formed as an open arc, with an opening (26, 27) having a center angle (φ) of less than 180°.

A return roller is pivotally supported in a frame-fixed articulation region (20, 21) of a belt conveyor device having a transport belt. A pivot arm (30, 31) extends in a running direction (L) of the transport belt, orthogonal to a longitudinal axis (12) of the return roller, supporting it about the longitudinal axis. A pivot element (40) is spaced apart from the return roller in the running direction. A pivot bearing (22, 23) is arranged on the articulation region for mounting the pivot element for a pivoting movement of the pivot arm around a pivot axis between an operating position and an nonoperating position of the return roller. A bearing surface (24, 25), in a section perpendicular to the pivot axis, is formed as an open arc, with an opening (26, 27) having a center angle (φ) of less than 180°.

A transfer device for use with a conveying apparatus for controlling the flow of articles, including a first conveyor and a second conveyor. The transfer device is disposed generally across and movable along the first and second conveyors. The transfer device includes a belt guide attached to the transfer device. The belt guide includes a base configured to attach to an actuating frame of the transfer device and a tension roller that slideably engages with a portion of the base to aid in conveying articles between the first conveyor and second conveyor.

A transfer device for use with a conveying apparatus for controlling the flow of articles, including a first conveyor and a second conveyor. The transfer device is disposed generally across and movable along the first and second conveyors. The transfer device includes a belt guide attached to the transfer device. The belt guide includes a base configured to attach to an actuating frame of the transfer device and a tension roller that slideably engages with a portion of the base to aid in conveying articles between the first conveyor and second conveyor.

A towable conveyor for transporting and elevating articles and a method and system for towing a conveyor and conveying articles up inclines is provided. The conveyor system has an elevating carriage and a plurality of support elements for conveying articles up the conveyor. Specifically, the towable conveyor system comprises a conveyor having a support frame, a plurality of support elements, a drive end with a motor, and an idle end; an elevating carriage having a first end interconnected to the support frame of the conveyor, a second with two or more wheels, and a support member extending upwardly from the elevating carriage; a cable system for raising the conveyor into a position of use and for lowering the conveyor into a towing position; one or more locking mechanisms; and a hitch for connecting the conveyor to a rear end of a towing vehicle.

A load handling device is disclosed for lifting and moving storage containers stacked in a grid framework structure having first and second sets of parallel rails or tracks. The load handling device includes: a body mounted on first and second sets of wheels arranged to engage with the tracks. A direction-change assembly is arranged to raise or lower the first set of wheels and or lower or raise the second set of wheels with respect to the body to engage and disengage the wheels with the tracks. The direction-change assembly includes a linkage-set having a series of members arranged between a traveller and a fixed brace, wherein the traveller is arranged to move under an applied force to cause the wheels to raise or lower.